5 WWE Superstars' surprising career aspirations before becoming wrestlers

#4 Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett trained to become a marine biologist

British-born WWE Superstar Wade Barrett grew up loving wrestling, but the star took a slight diversion in his career path before becoming a wrestler. The star grew up idolizing Davey Boy Smith, who was also from the North West of England but didn't initially set out to become an in-ring performer.

Wade Barrett initially wanted to become a Marine Biologist and even studied it at degree level at the University of Liverpool, not far from his home city of Preston. After graduating in his chosen field, Barrett worked in a science laboratory and even helped recruit new staff.

However, while working in the science lab, Barrett decided to hang up his white coat and goggles and train as a wrestler. Between his career in science and joining WWE, Barrett also had a stint as a bare-knuckle boxer, which was worked into his wrestling gimmick.

Barrett had huge success in WWE as a part of The Nexus and later won the King of the Ring tournament in 2015, not long before his departure from the company. Barrett returned to WWE in 2020 as an NXT commentator. His stint behind the commentary table has been widely praised by WWE fans.